Daily update, January 24, 2025

On Friday after breakfast, my main nurse took me to Life care Center for physical therapy. That went well. I did more on the machine than expected, because I rean over, and went with it. then I did something trickier with the harness that I thought of. That's going to need practice to get better at. I also paid for the month on the way out. {Smile}

Next, we went to the bank to deposit gifts from the funeral. I'm trying very hard to avoid missing checks this time around. I missed at least two checks after Dad' s funeral. I still feel so bad about that. It's not so much the money, as that I never meant to slight or not appreciate anyone's gift, which failing to deposit a check can feel like. I just wasn't together much back then. {rueful look}

Our next stop Walmart, to pick up some things we needed. Then we went home. {Smile}

Late that afternoon, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara when I was sleepy but not sleeping. She was planning a birthday lunch for the next day. That should be lots of fun. {SMILE}

My exercise was mostly at physical therapy on Friday, plus a little walking while we were out shopping and such. {Smile}

After I got home, I played Cross Stitch World and browsed on the web over lunch and into the afternoon. Then I treated a headache I suspected of being a migraine before I lay down to rest. Auntie Barbara called while I was lying down but not asleep. I got more rest after the call. Then I finally hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Pierogies trying out a farm Kitten is making. I joined him in it on a high-level character who's looking for some of the stuff you can get from farms. We visited and farmed until dinner. I left my character in there while I ate. {Smile}

After dinner. I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming to find Pierogies still farming the same farm. I said hi, and we got back to talking until we officially finished. The farm still had more critters, but he really wanted to do a regular mission before bed. So, we both switched to mid-level characters, and ran two of his missions. Then we said goodnight. After that, I went back and forth between browsing the web, writing up Wednesday's daily update, making notes in this, writing some of Thursday's daily update, reading comics, and talking with Noxon the chat server. Then I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming where I talked with Ulty and Jenny's player while playing by myself, especially on a low-level character. Then I concentrated on the low-level character until I got invited to a high-level team. I joined them, doing part of a mission and all of the next mission. Then I said goodbye and did a little paperwork. After that, I then finished notes in this and wrote more of Thursday's daily update without quite finishing it. {smile}

Daily Update, January 23, 2025

On Thursday, my cousin, Kim, called. She wanted to do lunch at the volcano (Kilauea Volcano) I agreed, but detailed plans were left for later. {smile}

Video counselling went well, though I realized something afterwards that I'll have to talk about next time. I long to feel more relevant in my life. I'm concerned that retirement homes and the like will make me feel less relevant, not more relevant, even as they take care of me otherwise. {rueful look}

Auntie Barbara called right when we were scheduling my next appointment at the end of the video counselling. I asked her to call back. I actually called her a little while after my appointment. Turned out she was concerned about lunch at the volcano. She suggested we start very soon, since it was sooner than I realized. My main nurse was unhappy with the surprise. He does like to be prepared. However, this was sprung on me too; I wasn't holding out on him. {smile}

We drove up to the volcano and met in the park for lunch in a restaurant on the caldera rim. In all, Kim, Aunt Valerie, Mary Jane, Auntie Barbara, Michelle, my main nurse, and I shared lunch there. The fountains that were visible the day before weren't going, just a lot of smoke and steam. I had a nice pizza. {Smile}

Then the others wanted to meet at a view spot by the museum which isn't there anymore. This wasn't easy to find. After a false start down the road, the nurse and I went to the visitor's center. I had him drop me off so I could walk in. I found the help desk busy with other people but eventually caught a ranger and got them to circle the old museum on the map after I convinced them that I was not interested in finding a working museum but the place where the old museum used to be so I could meet up with others. We found the spot and met up with the others for one last round of pictures. Then they left, and I walked with my nurse to a view spot a bit down a graded but unpaved path. {Smile}

After that, we drove back to Hilo. I slept on the way. then at home I lay down to wake up more fully and slept until dinner instead. {Smile}

My only exercise was the walking at the Volcano, but there was a fair bit of that between our different stops. {Smile}

After dinner, I played a lot of Cross Stitch World, with breaks to read comics and talk with Nox on the chat server. Then I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming just in time to team up with Pierogies for a hunt and a mission before they left for bed. Next, I did some paperwork. Then Dragons said hi. We got together, teaming up for four missions before they dashed off to work. Then I played more Cross Stitch World and read more comics. After that, I made notes in this. By then it was so late, I didn't even try to write up Wednesday's daily update, just leaving it for the next day. {Smile} 

Daily Update, January 22, 2025

On Wednesday, after breakfast, I wanted to lie down because I hadn't slept well the night before. However, I realized I didn't have time before Mom's funeral. So, I got ready and also shared the links to the live stream (which should still work, though they aren't live any longer). Then I gathered the pictures of Mom that I'd found, and my main nurse took me to church. 

At church, we set up stuff and greeted people who extended their condolences. Then the clergy asked if everyone was here, and if they could start. I didn't see one set of distant cousins, but wasn't quite certain they were coming, so I started to say go ahead. Right then the cousins showed up and came in, apologizing for being late. I told the clergy everyone was here now, and they started the service. It was lovely, simple and sweet, with much music, which Mom always did love. {smile}

The reception was lunch on the church's lanai right after the service. I visited with cousins, including the distant one I hadn't seen before this week. The guests left very few sandwiches, and much more dessert behind, but to be fair, enough brought dessert, there was plenty of that. 

Some of the guests - mostly family -came to the inurnment. Actually, more came than to Dad's inurnment. Auntie Barbara apologized for not doing so. She was just too tired. Considering she made food and picked up the food ordered from the grocery store, and did other things to help, i think she earned the right to just go home and rest already. I thought it was so thoughtful of her to do that so we wouldn't have to do it on top of everything else. After the inurnment, we said goodbye, and main nurse took me home. {Smile}

I was too tired after everything to try to exercise, even at bedtime. However, I think it's one day I can take a pass on that. I certainly hope not to bury close relatives often. {smile}

When we got home, I relaxed by playing Cross Stitch World until finally ducking into City of Heroes: Homecoming. When I did go there, I started with paperwork. Then I tried playing by myself on a low-level character trying to run through content and gain a level. Dennis and Kitten said hi while I did, but they were in a taskforce, so I continued to play by myself until they were done. When I finally joined them, they wanted the follow-up taskforce. I thought we didn't have time, but Dennis and kitten were more insistent than I was. Dennis recruited more members. We ran it over half full, which is a good number. We and got done just after my main nurse announced dinner, which is just about perfect. {Smile}

After dinner, I played a fair bit of Cross Stitch World before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Kitten, Ulty and Jenny's Player, and talked with Ulty and Jenny's player. I played by myself, and broke to read comics and play Cross Stitch World. Then I began making notes in this. After a while, I went back to play by myself some more in City of Heroes: Homecoming. I got a second low-level character to gain a level. Dennis congratulated me when I mentioned it, and we talked briefly. He was winding down after another taskforce. Then I finished notes in this. I ended the evening writing up Tuesday's daily update. with a break or two for Cross Stitch World. It is a nicely non-demanding game when I'm stressed enough to need that. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 21, 2025

Tuesday was Mom's birthday, the first one without mom around. It would have been her 96th birthday if she'd made it. I didn't celebrate it, but I remembered. {smile}

My relief nurse and I went to the monthly meeting. He tried to sit back, thinking he was giving me space. This really isn't that kind of meeting. It's for the handicapped; we won't be overshadowed by a home nurse. Too many have one or have had one in the past. He did come forward when they asked about the company he works for, Helping Hands Hale. Then he took me home afterwards. {Smile}

I found a note on the way home from my cousin, Kim It said that Mom's cousin Mary Jane's plane was late, but they'd come when they could. 

My relief nurse and I immediately started to get ready for lunch, expecting relatives to come Auntie Barbara came early to help set up, and pretty much took charge. I am grateful for that. She knew what needed to be done far better than I did. My relief nurse sat in back, watching TV for most of the visit. {smile}

My cousin Nancy and her husband Brent came pretty much on time. they, Auntie Barbara, and I soon started eating, because they were famished, and we had no idea when Kim, Aunt Valerie, and Mary Jane would come. They came when we were over halfway through, but we kept talking right through, even after everyone was done. I'd set out a picture and my parents' wedding album, which folks enjoyed looking at, and even talked about. They finished fairly late in the afternoon. {Smile}

I didn't manage to do any exercise again. My balance was too unsteady to want to risk trying. Well, I did do some pelvic floor and abdomen tucking. So, I did that much exercise {Smile}

After everyone left, I played Cross Stitch World before I hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming. Few friends were on, and somehow, I was not in the mood to talk, for once. So, I joined the later short, large-group event. Then I joined the later long, large-group event. Both are great when you just want to play with other players but not talk or anything. they're also good for visiting if you're in a mood to talk. I left when dinner was ready, though they weren't done. I did make sure to leave in the way they have been happy with. {Smile}

After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork and talking with friends. Then I played by myself, trying to get a low-level character ready to get another level. I did get the mission I was hoping for and completed it. then I browsed on the web, especially reading comics. Next, I started writing Monday's daily update. then I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming and started to play by myself on the low-level character again. This time I was trying to get that extra level. Then I saw Dennis and said hi. We talked, then teamed up after I finished with Monday's daily update. First, I helped him finish a high-level mission. Then he helped me get that level with a couple of my missions. Next, I helped him get a level with a couple more of my missions. Then I did paperwork. I finished the evening making notes in this. {Smile}

Mom's Funeral

 For those who can't be here for mom's funeral, they got the livestream working:

There are two ways to access our LiveStream:

go to our website and click on videos: www.echa-hilo.org

through our facebook page: https://facebook.com/churchoftheholyapostleshilo

They usually go live 10-15 minutes before the scheduled service time.

Daily Update, January 20, 2025

On Monday. I arranged to have dinner with my cousin, Kim, and Aunt Valerie. I chose IHOP. My relief nurse and I met them there. We had a nice long visit at the restaurant. My relief nurse stepped out a couple of times so we could visit in privacy. Then we went home while they went shopping before going back to their hotel. {Smile}

I did no exercise beyond the pelvic and abdominal exercises I scatter through the day. I tried to salsa dance twice, but I was just too dizzy each time. It wasn't safe to continue. {rueful look}

After breakfast, caught up on reading comics, since I'd fallen behind in some of them. This continued right into lunch and around phone calls and texts to arrange for dinner that day and lunch the next day with my relatives who've come to town. I eventually got into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started with paperwork. Then I was getting ready to by myself on a high-level character when Pierogies said hi. We teamed up with me on that character, but I had to leave before we'd gotten far into the first mission. I overestimated how much time we had, and relief nurse overestimated how much time I needed to get ready, so he pulled me off to get ready early. {smile}

After we got back after dinner, I played Cross Stitch World to settle in before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork and played by myself at first. I also talked with Ulty and Jenny's player. I discovered notes from Nox after they left for bed, and answered them, knowing they'd find them the next day. Back in City of Heroes: Homecoming, Dennis said hi. We teamed up and did two missions of his. Then we tried one of mine, but it was too late to finish. Then I tried to exercise but was entirely too dizzy. So, I played Cross Stitch World, browsed books on Amazon, and made notes in this before bed. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 19, 2025

On Sunday, my relief nurse took me to church. I sat with my cousin Nancy and her husband Brent. I thought it was a nice service. {Smile}

Nancy and Brent liked the look of lunch afterwards. So, we ate lunch with Auntie Barbara, taking up one end of one of the tables. Auntie Barbara suggested trying for a family lunch on Tuesday, and Nancy and Brent agreed, so that's our plan. We're hoping Kim and Aunt Valerie can come, too, though they are opposite sides of my family. {Smile}

Kim did text me to tell me later that they've arrived. We are continuing to text about making plans to see each other while they are here. {Smile}

I did my head exercises in the middle of writing up Saturday's daily update, then I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm swinging exercises between writing Saturday's Daily update and making notes and writing in this. I've also been doing pelvic floor exercises once in a while throughout the day. {Smile}

After my main nurse brought me home, I talked with my main nurse on and off through the afternoon. I also played Cross Stitch World before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming and starting with paperwork. Then I talked with Pierogies and Kitten. Kitten tried to show us a base one of their friends had built, but we couldn't get in. So Pierogies and I left Kitten to base exploring, and caught the later short, large-group event. Just after that ended, I got a call from my cousin Carol. We had a long talk. After the phone call, I joined the later long, large-group event when they'd done the early exciting stuff already. My main nurse called me to dinner before they were done. I said goodbye and was careful to leave properly. {Smile}

After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork, and broke to talk with my main nurse. Then I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I talked with Ulty and Jenny's player. I also did more paperwork and started playing by myself. Then I talked with Ulty some more, checking with her before I made a new character, and started running it through the tutorial. Yes, I usually do it when I make a new character, even though it's not required. Part way through, Kitten said hi. I stopped and got a moderately low-level character I wanted to see progress. We teamed up and started doing missions. Dragons joined us and we kept doing missions. Then Dennis joined us right as one contact's story ended. I started a new mission from a different contact, Then Dragons got invited to a higher-level team. Dennis wanted to finish my mission first, so we did, Then I said goodnight, and they all joined the new team. I wrote up Saturday's daily update. I did my head exercises during a brief break in that writing. After the writing, I did more exercise. Then I wrote and made motes in this update, with brief break to play Cross Stitch World. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 18, 2025

On Saturday. I had a quiet day. I cleaned myself up with the nurse's help. {Smile}

Then I texted couple of cousins. One was already in town. We made plans to meet the next day at my church and have lunch together afterwards. The other is coming the next day with her mother, arriving in the evening, and probably going pretty straight to bed. {Smile}

Since I had physical therapy the day before, and didn't go out, my only exercise was some pelvic floor and tummy tucking. Those don't get days off like my other exercises. {Smile}

After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World right through the morning and into lunch while thinking about the coming week. After lunch, I checked City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork and chatted with Ulty before I broke to clean myself up. Then I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did more paperwork and chatted with Dennis. I joined him and his friend. Kitten joined us, too. We did a couple of their missions until I got called to dinner just as Cat went quiet and faded out. {Smile}

After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World and talked with my main nurse. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming where I did more paperwork. Then I played by myself on the little character I played on the most the day before. Nox left before we could talk much, but we talked a little on the chat server earlier in the day.  I talked to Radio a bit on the chat world, too. I did slip in finishing Saturday's daily update later. Back on City of Heroes: Homecoming, Kitten joined me for a few missions. We completed through the last mission needed before that character goes up a few levels. Then I quickly made notes in this daily update without trying to write any of it, because it was almost bedtime. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 17, 2025

On Friday, in the late morning, my main nurse dropped me off at physical therapy and ran a few errands while I exercised there. I had a good session. He met me just as I was finishing. {Smile}

After that, we ran another errand. {Smile}

Then we stopped at Dodo Mortuary. My contact wasn't in again, but the fellow I did talk to said Mom's urn is out getting engraved, As I told the nurse afterwards, he had the air of someone telling me what he thought I wanted to hear, and hoping it was right. {smile}

So, I asked to go to Homelani Memorial Park next. There, we got the gal who helped me before. I asked her the same thing. She went away, and came back and told me it was sent in the day before and will be sent to them later. She had the air of someone who's looked things up, and learned what she hoped was true. {SMILE}

After that, my main nurse and I went home feeling like we'd accomplished something. {Smile}

I got all the exercise I needed today at physical therapy. I think I was even more tired than usual afterwards. They must have worn me out. {Smile}

After I got home, I played some Cross Stitch World and drowsed, tired from the exercise and business. When I was a little more steadily awake, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started on paperwork. Then I started soloing on a very low-level character. Then I switched to a slightly higher but still pretty low-level character and started playing their missions alone.  Next, Pierogies came in and said hi. We teamed up and he helped me with a couple of missions. Then I switched to a slightly higher but still low-level character, and Pierogies and I finished a story arc our characters have been doing together. Dennis joined us partway through the story arc. Both Pierogies and I gained a level. Then we said goodnight, and I headed to dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World and chatted with friends on the chat server. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, starting with paperwork. I began soloing on the middle little character from the afternoon. Then Pierogies said hi. We chatted for some time before we talked about getting together. Pierogies suggested a farm, so i got a high-level character who was looking for the kinds of stuff we get in farms. We continued to talk as he farmed. Then Dennis joined us in the farm and the chatting. Pierogies left after one mission, ready to go back to bed. Dennis and I continued to team, doing a mix of his and my missions, more mine than his. Eventually Dragons joined us. Then Dennis left. Dragons and I chatted, then ran another couple of missions. Next, they spotted some friends, including Kitten. About five teamed up, including Dragons, Kitten, and me. I started making notes and writing in this in what I thought a pause but missed part of a mission that way. Then we ran a couple more missions. After that, I said goodnight. Then I made more notes in this, pausing to read a few comics and do some paperwork that had piled up in the farm before I finished notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 16, 2025

On Thursday, I'm embarrassed to say that my counselor had to call me to remind me to start our session. I'd forgotten, and my insurance - whose system we use - would cut off access if I was too late. It can be set up again, but it's an extra hassle we just don't need. The session went well once I'd signed in, and least. {Smile}

In the afternoon, my main nurse helped me clean myself up since yesterday was entirely too busy to fit that in. {smile}

I did my salsa dancing warmup a while after playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming. Then, after a break, I tried again. I stumbled not that many steps in, caught myself, and tried again. I stumbled again very quickly. I stopped to treat hypoglycemia and did my arm resistance exercises. Then I tried yet again, and started stumbling distinctly further in, but still close to the beginning. I figure I got maybe nine and a quarter minutes of salsa dancing done. 

After counselling, I played Cross Stitch World and browsed the web right over lunch and into the afternoon until my bath. After the bath, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started on paperwork. Then Pierogies said hi, and we teamed up on low-level characters. We started doing my missions. Dennis joined us, and we did a few of my missions until dinnertime. {Smile}

After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork and chatting with Ulty and Jenny's player. then I browsed the web. Then I played by myself on a low-level character until I spotted a pair of high-level taskforces. I switched to the characters who's trying to collect badges from those and joined the group just before they started. I still didn't get the last badge the character I ran them on needs from them. After that, I worked on paperwork. I also told Nox a few things on the chat server and wrote up Wednesday's daily update. Next, I read comics before I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. I was in a out web browsing and thinking about playing until I found that Mysty had said hi. I joined her and three friends of hers, one of which was an acquaintance of mine. They were mainly visiting. I listened more than I talked. Eventually I meant, meaning to exercise, but I checked the web before I danced. Then I played Cross Stitch World before I tried dancing again. I watched part of a video and exercised between attempts to dance more. Then I wrote and finished notes in this and read a comic to wind down before bed. {Smile}